UNEXPECTEDLY GOOD NIGHT FOR OAKLEY

As thunder and lightning struck the village and with torrential rain flooding the roads, it seemed highly unlikely that either the National Men's Top Club against Basingstoke Town or the Ladies' County Club Championship game against Hook would be played this evening. However, at around 6.40 pm the rain at Malshanger relented for a while and the Men began their National Top Club Competition. Things did not initially go well and soon Ric Newson, who had to put up with a puddle on his rink (he is buying new shoes tomorrow!), had lost the Two Wood Singles and when the Singles discipline was also lost, it seemed only a matter of time before Basingstoke Town, who were also leading in the Pairs and Fours, claimed the third and critical point to win the match .Oakley, however, hung in and at 18 ends although the Town were still in pole position, the scores had closed to the extent that Oakley could sense victory was a possibility. Some fine bowling over the closing stages saw Oakley, unexpectedly, snatch victories in the remaining three disciplines and win the match by 3-2.

Oakley Scores: Ric Newson lost 8-15, Bob Goodyear lost 13-21, Malcolm Grime and Fred Norris won 24-17, Martin Smith, Trevor Wearn and Graham Tompkins won 19-10, Ashley Nethercliffe, Sean Lassman, Spencer Kerley and Ted Brown won 20-14

Meantime at Hook, where the conditions were rather better, Oakley Ladies took on Hook in the Thornbery Trophy, the County Club Championship. In recent years, Hook have been a thorn in the side for Oakley and when Johns player Mary Varndell was forced to withdraw from the team expectations were not high. However, an excellent team performance saw Oakley emerge triumphant with both rinks recordng victories

Oakley Scores: Sue Dixon, Val Ryan, Janie Vickers and Ruth Bown won 18-16, Camila Kingshott, Angie Rowe, June Harvie and Kay Kerley won 25-10